PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
November 24 - 30, 2022
Vol. 89
Phone: 612-827-4021
No. 17
www.spokesman-recorder.com
‘Lifting as We Climb’ conference Northside ‘world-class’ multi-use aims to bolster African business center breaks ground By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer
ment Solutions (AEDS). This is the first time the conference will be held in person frican entrepreneurs as a hybrid event, with some and leaders from in-person events held at the across the country Hyatt Regency Hotel in downare set to gather in town Minneapolis and others Minneapolis on Dec. 8 and 9 virtually on Zoom. The leadership conference for the 3rd Annual National African Leadership Conference will be highlighted by keynote organized by the St. Paul-based speeches from Professor P.L.O African Economic Develop- Lumumba, former director of the
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Gene Gelgelu speaks at a Nov. 2 press conference.
Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, and Dr. Verna Price, CEO of People Consulting Group. There will also be several panels and workshops covering topics that include financial technology, alternative financing, women in leadership, early childhood education, and health and wellness. The title of this year’s conference is “Lifting as We Climb.” ■ See AEDS on page 5
Photo courtesy of AEDS
It’s promoted as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the community
By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer
Officials of V3 Sports, who purchased a former commercial site on the corner of Plymouth projected 14-month and Lyndale Avenues North construction project in 2017 to construct a huge has begun in North sports, health and wellness Minneapolis that offi- complex, said last week during cials say will bring jobs, youth a November 18 groundbreakrecreation, child care and many ing ceremony that demolition of other benefits to the community. the existing building is expect-
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ed to be completed in a couple of weeks. When completed in 2024, the new building will contain an indoor 25-yard instructional pool, a hydro-therapy pool, fitness center, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms, office space, a drop-in child care center and a ■ See NORTHSIDE on page 5
Leaders and community members at the V3 groundbreaking Courtesy of Facebook/Mayor Jacob Frey
Black health and wellness educators honored By Cole Miska Contributing Writer A celebration was held Thursday evening Nov. 17 at the LifeSource building in North Minneapolis to recognize six local Black men who promote health and wellness in the Twin Cities area. Hue-MAN Partnership, local advertising agency Russell/Herder, and LifeSource organized the event. Clarence Jones, executive director of Hue-MAN, said they chose men who, after facing their own health issues, decided to dedicate their time to educating the community on how to lead healthier lives. “These men usually don’t get accolades, or they don’t get credit, or they won’t be recognized,” Jones said. “We wanted to give them a classy reception.” The idea for the reception came about in focus groups made up of local community members gathered by Russell/ Herder. The Minnesota Department of Health contracted the firm to help raise awareness of heart disease and diabetes in communities of color. Brian Herder, CEO of Russell/Herder, called the focus groups “deeply collaborative.” “The thing I love most is it wasn’t a bunch of people sitting around at an ad agency coming up with ideas and launching them into the community like
Honoree Kevin Jenkins speaking at the gathering as Clarence Jones looks on Photos by Cole Miska we had any idea,” Herder said. Augustine “Willie” Dominguez was one of the honorees for his community work with Hue-MAN and Parents in Community Action. “In our communities of color, especially, we don’t know the avenues—we don’t get the presentations, information, education,” Dominguez said. “We like to stay in our lane, but it’s time to get out there and let folks know that we’re here for them as well as they’re here for myself.” The other five men honored were Kevin Jenkins, author of “Victory Over Kidney Disease”; Fred Evans, who runs
the Clipper Clinic, which gives free checkups for men in underserved communities; Jack Strawder, who works as an outreach specialist for Father’s Project; the late Bruce Hardway, for his focus on a low-stress lifestyle; and Chuck Thomas, who founded Every Day is Room 4 Improvement and It’s Just Water. Thomas passed away on Nov. 14 before being able to accept his award. Chris Petersen, a professor from his time at the University of Minnesota who helped him found It’s Just Water, spoke about Thomas’s work. “He will be remembered
Artist Benny Roberts (in red jacket) with family fondly as a player—not just for himself but the voice of others,” Petersen said. “He had a quick wit and a good sense of humor.” Petersen said she would continue Thomas’s work in his passing. She noted that the death of Thomas, who lost his eyesight and a kidney to diabetes, died on World Diabetes Day. All six honorees of the night
had a portrait painted of them by local Black artist Benny Roberts. Roberts met Herder at one of the focus groups and was commissioned for the portraits as soon as the idea for the banquets was finalized. “I stand on the shoulder of giants,” Roberts said. “As the next generation of Black leadership in our community, it was
an honor to do this work to represent men that have laid a pathway that I get to walk on, and I’m very grateful for all of those things. “Black men deserve to grow old. It’s almost like there’s an epidemic against us that robs us from being able to live long lives, and so many systemic ■ See EDUCATORS on page 5
Has Black Friday lost its luster? By Stacy M. Brown
more, it also presents noteworthy risks for shoppers around buying too According to a survey conducted much,” said Michael Podolsky, CEO in October, nearly 70% of consumers and co-founder of PissedConsumer. plan to skip Black Friday and holiday com, which conducted the survey. “Consumers are now savvier with shopping altogether this year. While some believed retailers manipulated their purchases and how much they shoppers, a relatively large amount spend. That is not just inflation caus(18%) said they won’t shop because of ing the shift in consumer behavior,” Podolsky stated. “The survey revealed large crowds. Despite the relatively small sample that 85% of shoppers now rely on size in the survey, a growing number online reviews when buying as they of shoppers said Black Friday had lost intend to avoid general unhappiness its appeal. “While Black Friday sales with shopping.” Small business growth expert provide a great opportunity for brands to keep customers coming back for Stephanie Scheller of Grow Disrupt
said there’s little question that the days of getting excited about the day after Thanksgiving shopping sprees have ended. “While there are still ‘doorbusters’ at some places that are worth participating in, most places offer great deals online or are starting so early that it’s not worth the fight for Black Friday beyond tradition,” Scheller offered. “I think that the problem with this is that we’ll end up diluting the power of the concept, and while overall shopping numbers might be okay, the onepowerful-day for generating sales for ■ See SALES on page 5
Photo courtesy of NNPA